Whole Food Supplements

Your mom was right, you do need to eat your vegetables and other healthy foods. Whole foods offer us important nutrients that ensure our health and vitality. Processed foods lack the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes we need to support optimal health. But even a healthy diet can still be lacking in some important ways. While we used to rely solely on our diets for all of our nutrition needs, it is now apparent that most of us have nutritional gaps.  

Even if you are eating the recommended 5 servings of vegetables, you may not be getting all the nutrients you need. Studies show that many of our vegetables are lacking full nutritional value because of the poor, mineral depleted soil in which they have been grown. Additionally, our bodies often require extract nutrients because of the stressful lives we lead.

Experiencing anxiety is one clue that your body isn’t receiving all the nutrients it needs. Anxiety can be caused by low blood sugar, high blood sugar, digestive problems, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The first step in managing anxiety is to implement a low-carbohydrate diet. Adding in a whole food multivitamin will help cover your body’s needs for more nutrients. 

Whole food supplements are made from concentrated and dehydrated foods. In comparison, standard supplements are usually manufactured in a laboratory or are extracts from foods.

While both types of supplements have their place in wellness, whole food supplements are often easier to digest and absorb. Whole food supplements contain the balance of nutrients found in real foods.

One of the most important and health-promoting aspects of vegetables and fruits are the antioxidants. The antioxidant strength of any particular food is measured by its ORAC score. ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and these scores vary from food to food. In general, whole food supplements have higher ORAC ratings.

My Favorite Whole Food Supplements

Indigo Greens, formerly known as Deeper Greens, is a whole food vegetable and fruit powder. It combines the beneficial nutrients from numerous vegetables, fruits, and super-foods to fortify a diet that may be lacking. The antioxidants from fruits and vegetables aid your body in fighting free radical damage and the effects of a high-stress lifestyle. Indigo Greens is gluten-free, dairy-free, and also comes in capsule form. You can dissolve 1 scoop in water, or add to a smoothie.  

Indigo Greens contains organic fruits and vegetables. Researchers have concluded that organically grown plants contain higher amounts of nutrients. Additionally, the pesticides on conventionally grown plants have been linked to cancer and brain disorders.

Osteo Vegan by Numedica is a whole food based, bone support supplement. It contains over 70 trace minerals and phytonutrients. Calcium is critical to strong and dense bones. However, too much calcium, or the wrong form of calcium can cause long term problems. The food-based calcium in Osteo Vegan is micronized to ensure absorption. Most Vitamin D3 supplements are made from lanolin, a fatty substance found on sheep's wool. Osteo Vegan utilizes a proprietary plant-derived Vitamin D3.

Power Greens Chocolate is a delicious and organic whole food supplement.  Besides being high in antioxidants, Power Greens is loaded with food-based vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. These nutrients support energy, digestion, and detoxification. Along with vegetables, Power Greens incorporates enzymes and probiotics for microbiome support. The proprietary antioxidant blend includes superfoods from blueberries to mangosteen. It is naturally gluten-free and does not contain any artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives. Power Greens Chocolate is best served mixed with cold water and ice.

Whole food supplements are a supportive addition to your healthy diet. If you have been eating a SAD (Standard American Diet), you are likely missing key vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that provide energy and vitality. Along with a healthy diet, adding in whole food supplements will supply your cells with all of the raw materials for optimal health.

If you want to discuss more about integrating whole food supplements into your lifestyle, schedule a consultation with me!

Carly Neubert BA, NC

For additional recipes, biohacking tips and lifestyle hacks -- check out my other blog on my coaching site www.cleancoachcarly.com! I post weekly about nutrition and lifestyle topics, all backed by science. Happy Reading!